De La Hoya to Fight Coley Next Unless Goossen Has a Say

Oscar De La Hoya has signed to fight Derrell Coley, the World Boxing Council’s No. 1 welterweight contender, on Feb. 26 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

But there’ a hitch.

With Bob Arum, De La Hoya’s promoter, preparing to make the announcement today at a New York news conference, Dan Goossen of America Presents, Coley’s promoter, said that he was not involved in the negotiating process. He has sent letters to Arum, Madison Square Garden and HBO, which will televise the fight, saying that they are interfering in his relationship with Coley.

Goossen could seek a court order to stop the fight.

“We will do everything that we have to to see that our contractual agreement is upheld,” he said.

De La Hoya, who lost the WBC title to Felix Trinidad in September, will make $4 million for the fight, Coley $1 million.

“This is ludicrous,” said Arum of Goossen’s protest. “Goossen will get 25% of Coley’s purse, which is $250,000. All he ever invested in Coley was $25,000.”

Responded Goossen, “Since when does Bob Arum tell us what we are making? As Derrell Coley’s promoter, we are supposed to negotiate with Bob Arum for a purse. I don’t get into Bob Arum’s business and I don’t want him to get into mine.”